Method and system for providing satellite communications using on-orbit payload configuration and reconfiguration

(19)

(11)

EP 1 058 410 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	02.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/18

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	06.12.2000 Bulletin 2000/49

(21)	Application number: 00109210.5

(22)	Date of filing: 28.04.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: H04B 7/185

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

03.06.1999 US 325110

(71)	Applicant: Hughes Electronics Corporation
	El Segundo, California 90245-0956 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Anselmo, Carl S. Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275 (US)

(74)	Representative: Lindner, Michael, Dipl.-Ing. et al
	Witte, Weller & Partner, Patentanwälte, Postfach 105462 70047 Stuttgart 70047 Stuttgart (DE)

(54)	Method and system for providing satellite communications using on-orbit payload configuration and reconfiguration

(57) A system (300) for providing high frequency data communications in a satellite-based communications network (306) including a plurality of communications satellites (302) each having uplink (314) and downlink (316) antennas capable of receiving and transmitting a plurality of signals. Each of said satellites (302) have a communication control circuit (318). At least one of said satellites (304) is reconfigurable. The reconfigurable satellite (304) has a programmable frequency synthesizer (340) coupled to the communications control circuit (318). A controller (342) is located on the satellite (304) and is coupled to the communications control circuit (318). The controller (342) controls a frequency reconfiguration of the communications control circuit through the programmable frequency synthesizer (340).

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